Web site navigation under a hierarchical menu structure

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer display device that uses a hierarchical menu structure to enable a user navigate through a linked web-page system. A computer code and a display screen of the computer display device enables the user to navigate through the linked web-page system in accordance with the hierarchical menu structure and in accordance with supporting features such as navigational persistence and page content persistence. The display screen comprises a display of: an uppermost top-level of the linked web-page system; a list of top-level categories under the uppermost top-level; a list of sub-level categories linked to a user-selected top-level category; a list of menu items held by each sub-level category; and a web page linked from a user-selected menu item from the menu items held by a sub-level category.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to web site navigation,and more specifically to web site navigation in accordance with ahierarchical menu structure.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] The Internet has become a popular mechanism to search and obtaininformation for nearly any item or topic, and the Internet is fastapproaching the status as a global standard for such use. The ease ofinformation exchange has also resulted in a desirability of using theInternet as a enhanced global business tool in addition to being usedfor information exchange. Although the Internet has performed relativelywell as a global information exchange, the Internet has not met theneeds nor solved many of the concerns of the business community. Broadbusiness use of the Internet has not advanced beyond a basic electroniccatalog at best. Since it's inception, the Internet has remainedburdened by limitations, including the limitations of quality of thecontent and of quality of retrieval of information from the Internet.Additionally, navigation across the Internet is based on random linksand it is easy to get lost within a web site that has a large number ofweb pages.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a method, software, user interface,etc. which improves the quality of the content and retrieval ofinformation from the Internet, and which helps to prevent an Internetuser from getting lost within a web site that has a large number ofpages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In first embodiments, the present invention provides a computerdisplay device, comprising a display screen, said display screendisplaying a menu presentation interface for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system, saidmenu presentation interface comprising a display of:

[0007] a list of top-level categories such that the top-level categoriesare categories of an uppermost top-level of the web-page navigationsystem;

[0008] a list of sub-level categories linked to a selected top-levelcategory of the top-level categories;

[0009] a list of menu items held by each sub-level category; and

[0010] a web page linked from a selected menu item of the menu itemsheld by a first sub-level category of the sub-level categories.

[0011] In second embodiments, the present invention provides a computerdisplay device, comprising a display screen, said display screendisplaying a hierarchical menu structure for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system, saidhierarchical menu structure comprising:

[0012] an uppermost top-level;

[0013] I top-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . T(I), whereinI≧2, and wherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the I top-levelcategories;

[0014] J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-level categoryT(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, and wherein theJ_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), . . . ,S(i,J_(i)), for i=1,2, . . . , I; and

[0015] K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level category S(i,j), whereinK_(ij) is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij)menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), andwherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), fori=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij).

[0016] In third embodiments, the present invention provides a computerdisplay device, comprising a display screen, said display screendisplaying a hierarchical menu structure for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system, saidhierarchical menu structure having a navigational state (α, β, γ), saidhierarchical menu structure comprising:

[0017] an uppermost top-level;

[0018] I top-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I),wherein I≧2, and wherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the Itop level categories;

[0019] J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-level categoryT(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, and wherein theJ_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), . . . ,S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and

[0020] K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level category S(ij), whereinK_(ij) is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij)menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), andwherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), fori=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij),said display screen comprising a display of:

(T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)),

(S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K _(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . , J _(α)),and

W(α,β,γ),

[0021] wherein α is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . ,and I,

[0022] wherein β is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . ,and J_(α), and

[0023] wherein γ selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . , andK_(αβ).

[0024] In fourth embodiments, the present invention provides a computerprogram product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system inaccordance with a hierarchical menu structure, said hierarchical menustructure comprising:

[0025] an uppermost top-level;

[0026] I top-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I),wherein I≧2, and wherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the Itop level categories;

[0027] J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-level categoryT(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, and wherein theJ_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), . . . ,S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and

[0028] K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level category S(i,j), whereinK_(ij) is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij)menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), andwherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), fori=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . ,K_(ij),

[0029] said computer code comprising an algorithm adapted to generate,on a display screen of a computer display device, a display of anavigational state (α, β, γ) of the hierarchical menu structure, saiddisplay comprising a depiction of:

(T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)),

(S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K _(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . , J _(α)),and

W(α,β,γ),

[0030] wherein α is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . ,and I,

[0031] wherein β is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . ,and J_(α), and

[0032] wherein γ selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . . , andK_(αβ).

[0033] In fifth embodiments, the present invention provides a computerprogram product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system, saidcomputer code comprising an algorithm adapted to:

[0034] record, in a computer-readable medium, a sequence of navigationallinks selected by the user, wherein each navigational link is a link toa web page of the linked web-page system;

[0035] record, in the computer-readable medium, the web pages to whichthe navigational links are linked; and

[0036] in response to a subsequent selection of a first navigationallink to a dynamic web page such that the first navigational link is oneof the previously selected navigational links, display the dynamic webpage on a display screen of a computer display device and in accordancewith page content persistence.

[0037] In sixth embodiments, the present invention provides a computerprogram product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein for enabling a user of a linkedweb-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system, saidcomputer code comprising an algorithm adapted to:

[0038] record, in a computer-readable medium, a sequence of navigationallinks selected by the user, wherein each navigational link is a link toa web page of the linked web-page system; and

[0039] execute code selected from a plurality of alternative code independence on said recorded sequence.

[0040] In seventh embodiments, the present invention provides a computerusable medium having a computer readable program code embodied thereinfor enabling a user of a linked web-page system to navigate through thelinked web-page system, said computer code comprising an algorithmadapted to enable the user to select a sequence of navigational links,wherein each navigational link is a link to a web page of the linkedweb-page system, and wherein at least one of the navigational linksavailable for selection by the user and the web pages to which theavailable navigational links are linked is a function of an identity ofa computer that the user is coupled to for navigating through the linkedweb-page system.

[0041] In eighth embodiments, the present invention provides an accesscontrol method, comprising:

[0042] receiving, by a web site, a request for access to the web site bya computer that is separated from the web site by a communication link;

[0043] determining, by the web site, an address of the computer; and

[0044] refusing the user access to the web site if the determiningdetermines that the address of the computer is not acceptable for accessto the web site.

[0045] In ninth embodiments, the present invention provides a computerprogram product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein for controlling access to a website, said computer code being coupled to the web site, said computercode comprising an algorithm adapted to:

[0046] receive a request for access to the web site by a user from acomputer that is separated from the web site by a communication link;

[0047] determine an address of the computer; and

[0048] refuse the user access to the web site if the algorithmdetermines that the address of the computer is not acceptable for accessto the web site.

[0049] In tenth embodiments, the present invention provides a computerdisplay device comprising a display screen, said display screen adaptedto display each of a first hierarchical menu structure H₁ and a secondhierarchical menu structure H₂ wherein a chained hierarchical menusystem comprises H₁ and H₂, wherein the chained hierarchical menu systemenables a user of a linked web-page system to navigate through thelinked web-page system, and wherein H₁ and H₂ independently comprise:

[0050] an uppermost top-level;

[0051] I top-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . T(I), whereinI≧2, and wherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the I top-levelcategories;

[0052] J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-level categoryT(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, and wherein theJ_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), . . . ,S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and

[0053] K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level category S(i,j), whereinK_(ij) is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij)menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), andwherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), fori=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij),

[0054] wherein H₁ is linked to H₂ from the uppermost top-level of H₁, atop-level category of H₁, or a menu item of H₁.

[0055] The present invention beneficially provides a method, software,user interface, etc. which improve the quality of the content andretrieval of information from the Internet, and which helps to preventan Internet user from getting lost within a web site that has a largenumber of pages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056]FIG. 1 depicts a network with a computer comprising a computerdisplay device having a display screen for navigating through a linkedweb-page system in accordance with a hierarchical menu structure, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0057]FIG. 2 depicts the display screen of FIG. 1 showing an uppermosttop-level area, a toplevel area filled with top-level categories, asub-level area, and a web-page area, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

[0058]FIG. 3 depicts the display screen of FIG. 2 with the sub-levelarea filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items relatingto selection of the “Products/Services” top-level category, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0059]FIG. 4 depicts the display screen of FIG. 3 with the web-page areafilled with a web page linked from the “App on Demand” menu item, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0060]FIG. 5 depicts the display screen of FIG. 4 with the web-page areafilled with a web page linked from the “Consulting Services” menu item,in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0061]FIG. 6 depicts the display screen of FIG. 5 with the sub-levelarea filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items relatingto selection of the “Concepts/Technology” top-level category, and withthe contents of the web-page area deleted, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

[0062]FIG. 7 depicts the display screen of FIG. 6 with the web-page areafilled with a web page linked from the “Total Dynamic” menu item, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0063]FIG. 8 depicts the display screen of FIG. 7 with the sub-levelarea filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items relatingto selection of the “Products/Services” top-level category, and theweb-page area filled with the web page pointed to by the “ConsultingServices” menu item, in accordance with the navigational persistencefeature of the present invention.

[0064]FIG. 9 depicts the display screen of FIG. 8 with the sub-levelarea filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items relatingto selection of the “Support/Demo” top-level category and with theweb-page area containing a web page linked from the “Invoice System”menu item with data fields unfilled, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

[0065]FIG. 10 depicts the display screen of FIG. 9 showing the web-pagearea filled with “Import Customer” content following selection of the“Imp Customer” button in FIG. 9, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

[0066]FIG. 11 depicts the display screen of FIG. 9 wherein the “InvoiceSystem” web page in the web-page area with the data fields filled withdata derived from the “Import Customer” web page of FIG. 10, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0067]FIG. 12 depicts the display screen of FIG. 2 with the sub-levelarea filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items,relating to default selection of the default “Products/Services”top-level category, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

[0068]FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment that illustrates a generalizedrepresentation of the hierarchical menu structure of the presentinvention, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0069]FIG. 14 is a flow chart depicting navigating through navigationalstates of a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

[0070]FIG. 15 is a flow chart depicting a first method for controllingaccess to a web site from a computer, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

[0071]FIG. 16 is a flow chart depicting a second method for controllingaccess to a web site from a computer, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

[0072]FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary computer system, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0073]FIG. 1 depicts a network 10 for navigating through a linkedweb-page system in accordance with a hierarchical menu structure, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The network 10comprises a computer 14, a communication link 18, a web site 20, andother web sites 24. The computer 14 comprises a computer display device15 having a display screen 16. The computer 14 is coupled to the website 20 through the communication link 18. A user 12 is coupled to thecomputer 14. The web site 20 and the other web sites 24 are coupled tothe communication link 18. The communication link 18 integrates use ofthe web site 20 and the other web sites 24 by the user 12.

[0074] The computer 14 comprises any data processing device that has aninput device (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.), the computer display device15, a computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory), for storing a softwareand data, and a processor for executing said software. As examples, thecomputer 14 may comprise a personal computer (PC), work station, etc.The software may comprise, inter alia, a browser for reading anddisplaying web pages on the screen display 16. See FIG. 17 for anexemplary computer system 90 that may comprise the computer 14. Thecomputer display device 15 may comprise a computer monitor. The displayscreen 16 is adapted to display a menu presentation interface forenabling the user 12 to navigate through the linked web-page system.

[0075] The communication link 18 comprises any communication linkcapable of being coupled to the web site 20 and the other web sites 24.Examples of the communication link 18 include the Internet, an Intranet,etc. The web site 20 and the other web sites 24 collectively comprisethe web-page system which may be navigated by the user 12. “Navigating”means sequentially linking to web pages of the web site 20 and the otherweb sites 24.

[0076] The web site 20 comprises, or is coupled to as shown in FIG. 1, acomputer code 22 which may be linked to a web server at the web site 20.The computer code 22 includes an algorithm 23 that enables the user 12to navigate the linked web-page system (i.e., to sequentially link toweb pages of the web site 20 and the other web sites 24 in accordancewith a hierarchical menu structure of the present invention. The website also contains memory to store the computer code 22 or other data, aprocessor to execute the computer code 22, peripheral input/outputdevices, etc. See FIG. 17 for an exemplary computer system 90 that maycomprise the web site 20 or any of the other web sites 24.

[0077] The present invention utilizes a hierarchical menu structure thatis illustrated and described infra. The hierarchical menu structurecomprises an uppermost top-level, a plurality of top-level categoriesunder the uppermost top-level, one or more sub-level categories widereach top-level category, and one or more menu items held by eachsub-level category. The uppermost top-level is a holder for thetop-level categories and may also link to a web page. Each top-levelcategory is a holder for its associated sub-level categories and maylink to a web page. Each menu item may link to a web page. The link tothe web page (from any or all of the uppermost top-level, a top-levelcategory, and menu item) may be via a Universal Resource Locator (URL).For example, a menu item may be linked to a web page by a URL. FIGS.2-11 depict embodiments of the hierarchical menu structure of thepresent invention. In particular, FIGS. 2-11 depict sequential menuselections by the user 12 in the sequential order of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, . .. , FIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates alternative content in the sub-levelarea and the web-page area of the display screen 16. FIG. 13 depicts ageneralized representation of the hierarchical menu structure of thepresent invention. FIG. 14 is a flow chart depicting navigating throughnavigational states of the hierarchical menu structure.

[0078]FIG. 2 depicts the display screen 16 that is comprised by thecomputer display device 15 of FIG. 1. In accordance with thehierarchical menu structure, the display screen 16 in FIG. 2 comprisesan uppermost top-level area 30, a top-level area 32, a sub-level area34, and a web-page area 36, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. The uppermost top-level area 30, the top-level area32 may be predetermined areas, wherein said predetermination of saidareas may be based on a practical criteria such as, inter alia, wherethe display screen 16 designer considers placement of said areas to bemost convenient for use by the user 12.

[0079] In FIG. 2, the uppermost top-level area 30 includes the uppermosttop-level of “CONSULTING” which is a descriptor for the entirehierarchical menu structure. Generally, the uppermost top-level maybroadly represent the entire linked web-page system (e.g., the totalityof web sites coupled to the Internet) or may more narrowly represent anapplication or a plurality of related applications on an individual website or may represent a broader application encompassing a plurality ofweb sites. Thus, the uppermost top-level 30 may encompasses, inter alia,all web sites of the Internet having a displayable web page. Theuppermost top-level 30 may alternatively encompass fewer than all websites of the Internet having a displayable web page. The uppermosttop-level 30 may encompass a plurality of web sites of the Internet. Theuppermost top-level 30 may encompasses a single web site of theInternet. The uppermost top-level 30 may or may not appear in thedisplay screen 16 in any given embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The uppermost top-level is divided into top-level categories andthe top-level area 32 includes said top-level categories. For example,the top-level categories in FIG. 2 are: “Company Profile” 41,“Products/Services” 42, “Concepts/Technology” 43, “Support/Demo” 44, and“Contact” 45. When the user 12 (see FIG. 1) “selects” a top-levelcategory, the sub-level area 34 will be subsequently filled withsub-level categories and associated menu items as will be discussedinfra. “Selecting” a top-level category, or selecting anything else inthe display screen 16, may be accomplished by any technique known to aperson of ordinary skill in the art of computer software, such as, interalia, by having the user 12 place a mouse pointer within the top-levelcategory to be selected and then left double-clicking the mouse. Theweb-page area 36 will be subsequently filled with a web page linked froma menu item in the sub-level area 34 as will be discussed infra.

[0081] In FIG. 2, the sub-level area 34 is empty because no top-levelcategory has been selected by the user 12. Alternatively, the sub-levelarea 34 could be filled with a default top-level category or with anyother content. Similarly in FIG. 2, the web-page area 36 is emptybecause no menu item has been selected by the user 12. Alternatively,the web-page area 36 could be filled with the web page pointed to from adefault menu item under the sub-level category of the default top-levelpointer, or the web-page area 36 could be filled with any other content.The discussion infra of FIG. 12 illustrates the possibilities forfilling the sub-level area 34 and the web-page area 36 when the user 12has not selected content for filling the sub-level area 34 and theweb-page area 36, respectively.

[0082]FIG. 3 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 2 with the sub-levelarea 34 filled with sub-level categories and associated menu itemsrelating to selection by the user 12 (see FIG. 1) of the“Products/Services” 42 top-level category, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The display screen 16 displays anidentification of “Products/Services” 42 as the selected top-levelcategory, by use of background stipling/shading to indicate theselection of “Products/Services” 42. However, the selection of“Products/Services” 42 as the top-level category may be shown in anyother manner or not shown at all. In FIG. 3, the sub-level area 34contains the sub-level categories of the “Products/Services” 42top-level category, namely the sub-level categories of: “Products” 38and “Quote & Pricing” 39. The sub-level category of “Products” 38 is aholder for the menu items of “Product Overview”, “Turn key Solutions”,“App. Development”, “App. Provider (ASP)”, “Consulting Services”, and“Technology Licensing”. The sub-level category of “Quote & Pricing” 39is a holder for the menu items of “App Dev. Quote”, “Turnkey Pricing”,and “Customer Prototype”.

[0083]FIG. 4 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 3 with the web-pagearea 36 filled with a web page linked from the “App on Demand” menu itemrelating to selection by the user 12 (see FIG. 1) of the “App on Demand”menu item, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thedisplay screen 16 displays an identification of “App on Demand” as theselected menu item, by appearance of “Application on Demand” as theheader in the web-page area 36. However, the selection of “App onDemand” as the menu item may be shown in any other manner or not shownat all. The text appearing in the web-page area 36 below the header“Application on Demand” is the web page linked to from the “App onDemand” menu item. Linking to the web page associated with the “App onDemand” menu item may be accomplished through use of a URL associatedwith the web page. Generally, the web page appearing in the web-pagearea 36 may be derived from the web site 20 or from the other web sites24.

[0084]FIG. 5 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 4 with the web-pagearea 36 filled with a web page linked from the “Consulting Services”menu item relating to selection by the user 12 (see FIG. 1) of the“Consulting Services” menu item, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. Selection of the “Consulting Services” menu item isindicated by the “Consulting Services” header in the web-page area 36.

[0085]FIG. 6 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 5 with the sub-levelarea 34 filled with sub-level category of “Technology” 46 and associatedmenu items relating to selection by the user 12 (see FIG. 1) of the“Concepts/Technology” 43 top-level category, and with the contents ofthe web-page area 36 deleted, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. The web-page area 36 is empty because no menu itemhas been selected by the user 12. Alternatively, the web-page area 36could be filled with the web page pointed to from a default menu itemappearing in the sub-level area 34, or the web-page area 36 could befilled with any other content.

[0086]FIG. 7 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 6 with the web-pagearea 36 filled with a web page linked from the “Total Dynamic” menu itemrelating to selection by the user 12 (see FIG. 1) of the “Total Dynamic”menu item, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.Selection of the “Total Dynamic” menu item is indicated by the “TotalDynamic” header in the web-page area 36.

[0087]FIG. 8 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 7 with the sub-levelarea 34 filled with sub-level categories and associated menu itemsrelating to selection of the “Products/Services” 42 top-level category,and the web-page area 36 area is filled with the web page pointed to bythe “Consulting Services” menu item, in accordance with the“navigational persistence” feature of the present invention.“Navigational persistence” means that if the user 12 (see FIG. 1)currently selects a new top-level category (i.e., a next selectedtop-level category) that differs from the present top-level category inthe display screen 16, then the web page pointed to by the last menuitem to have been previously selected under the next top-level categoryis next placed in the web-page area 36. FIG. 8 illustrates navigationalpersistence, because the “Consulting Services” menu item (which pointsto the web page in the web-page area 36 of FIG. 8) is the last menu itemto have been previously selected under the “Products/Services” 42top-level category as shown in FIG. 5.

[0088] Navigational persistence may be implemented by the algorithm 23of the computer code 22 if the algorithm 23 is adapted to record (i.e.,store) a sequence of navigational states linked to by the user 12 (seeFIG. 1) and if the algorithm 23 is also adapted to record the web pagespointed to by the menu items of the recorded navigational states. Therecorded navigational states and the recorded web pages may be stored ona computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory or storage device). Anavigational state is defined by a unique combination of top-levelcategory, sub-level category, and menu item. Implementation ofnavigational persistence is conditional in dependence on the priornavigational history of the user 12 (i.e., the sequence of navigationalstates selected by the user 12). For example, if the next selected“Products/Services” 42 top-level category had not been previouslyselected or if no menu item under “Products/Services” had beenpreviously selected (which may be ascertained from an analysis of therecorded navigational states), then navigational persistence would beinapplicable. Thus the algorithm 23 is adapted to execute code selectedfrom alternative code (i.e., to implement navigational persistence ornot to implement navigational persistence) in dependence on the recordedsequence of navigational states. Thus the present invention disclosesexecution by the algorithm 23 of code selected from a plurality ofalternative code in dependence on the recorded sequence of navigationalstates. Generally, the present invention discloses that the algorithm 23is adapted to: record a sequence of navigational links selected by theuser 12 in a computer-readable medium, wherein each navigational link isa link to a web page of the linked web-page system; and execute codeselected from a plurality of alternative code in dependence on therecorded sequence.

[0089]FIG. 9 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 8 with the sub-levelarea 34 filled with the sub-level categories of “Examples” 47, “Style”48, “Support” 49, and “Technology” 50, and associated menu items,relating to selection of the “Support/Demo” 44 top-level category andwith the web-page area 36 containing a web page linked from selected“Invoice System” menu item with data fields (e.g., “Name/Company”)unfilled, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Theuser 12 had selected the “Invoice System” menu item from the sub-levelarea 34. The algorithm 23 has inserted the current date “Jun. 30, 2002”into the “Inv Date” and “Ordered” data fields.

[0090]FIG. 10 depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 9 showing theweb-page area 36 filled with “Import Customer” data content followingselection of the “Imp Customer” button 52 in FIG. 9, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the user 12 (seeFIG. 1) selects the Set 53 button for customer “Matt Dolson”, which hasthe effect of selecting customer Matt Dolson's data (name, address,phone, etc.) for insertion into data fields of the “Invoice System” webpage shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the content of the web-page area 36 isderived from an external source such as, inter alia, a database, file,table, another web site, etc.

[0091]FIG. 11 depicts the display screen of FIG. 9 wherein the “InvoiceSystem” web page in the web-page area 36 has data fields (namely“Name/Company”, “Address”, “City/State/Zip”, “Phone”, “Contact”) filledwith data derived from the “Import Customer” web page of FIG. 10, inaccordance with the “page content persistence” feature of the presentinvention. The “page content persistence” feature pertains only todynamic web pages and not to static web pages. Static web pages arecreated in advance in static web sites and then are posted to a webserver. Changing the content of a static page requires recreating thestatic pages with the changed content and then uploading the changedstatic page to the same server thereby replacing the previous version ofthe static page. Static web sites rely upon HTML pages which areconsidered “stateless”, being that there is no linking relationshipbetween one link and another link. Dynamic web sites contain primarilydynamic pages, and may also incorporate static pages. The dynamic pagesare not created in advance, but rather are generated “on-the-fly” andnot assembled as such until delivery to the recipient. Dynamic pagecontent is created using a form template (e.g., as shown in the web-pagearea of FIG. 9) and filled with data (e.g., as shown in the web-pagearea 36 in FIG. 10) retrieved from an external source such as, interalia, a database, file, table, another web site, etc.

[0092] “Page content persistence” means that if a dynamic web page(e.g., the web page shown in the web-page area 36 of FIG. 11) isgenerated, and if another top-level category or menu item issubsequently selected so as to change the content in the web-page area36 followed subsequently by again selecting the menu item that points tothe dynamic web page (e.g., the “Invoice System” menu item in thepresent example), then the dynamic web page with the filled data fieldswill be inserted into the web-page area 36. For the present example, thedisplay screen 16 shown in FIG. 11 will persistently appear and reappearwhenever the “Invoice System” menu item is selected, until the user 12changes the content of the data fields such as by, inter alia, importingdata from another customer into the web-page template shown in FIG. 9.As with “navigational persistence”, implementation of content pagepersistence is conditional in dependence on the prior navigationalhistory of the user 12 (i.e., the sequence of navigational statesselected by the user 12), since content page persistence is inapplicableif the web-page template shown in FIG. 9 has been displayed but its datafields have not been filled in by data derived from the external source.

[0093] Generally, the algorithm 23 may implement content pagepersistence. Accordingly, the algorithm 23 may be adapted to: record asequence of navigational links selected by the user; record the webpages to which the navigational links are linked; and in response to asubsequent selection of a first navigational link to a dynamic web pagesuch that the first navigational link is one of the previously selectednavigational links, display the dynamic web page in accordance with pagecontent persistence.

[0094] As illustrated supra in FIG. 2, the sub-level area 34 may bedisplayed in the display screen 16 unfilled (i.e., devoid of content) ifthe user 12 has not selected a top-level category that dictates thesub-level categories (and associated menu items) that are to fill thesub-level area 34. Under the preceding circumstances in which thesub-level area 34 may be otherwise unfilled, the present inventionpermits the sub-level area 34 to be filled in accordance with a defaulttop-level category or with any other content. For example, FIG. 12depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 2 with the sub-level area 34filled with sub-level categories and associated menu items, relating todefault selection of the default “Products/Services” 42 top-levelcategory.

[0095] Similarly as illustrated supra in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the web-pagearea 36 may be displayed in the display screen 16 unfilled if the user12 (see FIG. 1) has not selected a menu item that dictates the web pagethat is to fill the web-page area 36. Under the preceding circumstancesin which the web-page area 36 may be otherwise unfilled, the presentinvention permits the web-page area 36 to be filled in accordance with adefault menu item or with any other content. For example, FIG. 12depicts the display screen 16 of FIG. 2 with the web-page area 36 filledwith other content; i.e., introductory content relating to the uppermosttop-level 30, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0096]FIG. 12 additionally shows a color selection submenu 55, whichpermits the user 12 (see FIG. 1) to select a color for any aspect of thedisplay screen 16, including the uppermost top-level area 30, thetop-level area 32, the sub-level area 34, the web-page area 36, portionsthereof (e.g., background color, text color, graphics color), andcombinations thereof. In FIG. 12, blue is a default color which the user12 may override by selecting green, standard, or violet. In a similarfashion, the user 12 may be permitted to control other screen appearanceattributes (e.g., text font style, text font size, etc.) in the sameportion of the display screen 16 described supra for control of color,or in any other otherwise unused portion of the display screen 16.

[0097] The algorithm 23 is a vehicle through which screen appearanceattributes (e.g., colors of portions of the display screen 16 asdiscussed supra, text font style, text font size, etc.). Thus, thealgorithm 23 may be adapted to change color in an area of the displayscreen 16 to a new color in response to selection by the user 12 of thenew color, wherein the area is selected from the group consisting of thetop-level area 32, the sub-level area 34, the web-page area 36, andcombinations thereof. The algorithm 23 may be adapted to change fontstyle of text in an area of the display screen 16 to a new font style inresponse to selection by the user 12 of the new color, wherein the areais selected from the group consisting of the top-level area 32, thesub-level area 34, the web-page area 36, and combinations thereof. Thealgorithm 23 may be adapted to change font size of text in an area ofthe display screen 16 to a new font size in response to selection by theuser 12 of the new color, wherein the area is selected from the groupconsisting of the top-level area 32, the sub-level area 34, the web-pagearea 36, and combinations thereof.

[0098] The hierarchical menu structure of the present invention isformulated in a generalized representation, as illustrated by FIG. 12 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The hierarchicalmenu structure enables a user of a linked web-page system to navigatethrough the linked web-page system. The hierarchical menu structurecomprises an uppermost top-level (U) and I top-level categories denotedas T(1), T(2), . . . . T(I), wherein I≧2. The uppermost top-level isdivided into the I top-level categories. The hierarchical menu structurealso includes J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-levelcategory T(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, andwherein the J_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), .. . , S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I. The hierarchical menu structureadditionally includes K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level categoryS(i,j), wherein K_(ij) is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1,wherein the K_(ij) menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . ,M(i,j,K_(ij)), and wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a webpage W(i,j,k), for i=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1,2, . . . , K_(ij). The index set (i,j,k) identifies a navigational stateof the hierarchical menu structure, wherein i points to the top-levelcategory T(i), j points to the sub-level category S(i,j) under T(i), andk points to the menu item M(i,j,k) under S(i,j).

[0099]FIG. 13 illustrates the preceding notation in which thegeneralized representation of the hierarchical menu structure of thepresent invention is formulated. In FIG. 13, U denotes the uppermosttop-level, and I=2 since there are 2 top-level categories, namely T(1)and T(2). J_(i)=3 in relation to the 3 sub-level categories S(1,1),S(1,2), and S(1,3). J₂=2 in relation to the 2 sub-level categoriesS(2,1) and S(2,2). K₁₁=2 in relation to the 2 menu items M(1,1,1) andM(1,1,2). K₁₂=1 in relation to the 1 menu item M(1,2,1). K₁₃=3 inrelation to the 3 menu items M(1,3,1), M(1,3,2), and M(1,3,3). K₂₁=1 inrelation to the 1 menu item M(2,1,1). K₂₂=2 in relation to the 2 menuitems M(2,2,1) and M(2,2,2). The menu items M(1,1,1), M(1,1,2),M(1,2,1), M(1,3,1), M(1,3,2), M(1,3,3), M(2,1,1), M(2,2,1), and M(2,2,2)respectively point to the web pages W(1,1,1), W(1,1,2), W(1,2,1),W(1,3,1), W(1,3,2), W(1,3,3), W(2,1,1), W(2,2,1), and W(2,2,2).

[0100] The display screen 16 (See FIG. 1) comprises a display, generatedby the algorithm 23, of the following quantities appearing between thecurly brackets { }, wherein α, β, and γ are dummy indices:

[0101] {

[0102] U,

(T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)),

(S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K _(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . , J_(α)),and

W(α,β,γ),

[0103] wherein α is one of 1, 2, . . . , and I,

[0104] wherein β is one of 1, 2, . . . , and J_(α), and

[0105] wherein γ is one of 1, 2, . . . , and K_(αβ),

[0106] }.

[0107] In the display screen 16 of FIG. 2, the uppermost top-level area30 comprises U. The top-level area 32 comprises (T(1), T(2), . . . ,T(I)). The sub-level area 34 comprises (S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . ., K_(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . , J_(α)). The web-page area 36 comprisesW(α,β,γ). The index set (α,β,γ) identifies the navigational state beingdisplayed, wherein a points to the top-level category T(α), β points tothe sub-level category S(α,β) under T(α), and γ points to the menu itemM(α,β,γ) under S(α,β).

[0108] If the user selects a navigational state (α₁,β₁,γ₁) to replacethe navigational state (α,β,γ) such that W(α₁,β₁,γ₁) differs fromW(α,β,γ), then the algorithm 23 is adapted to refresh the sub-level area34 with a display of (S(α₁,β₁), (M(α₁,β₁,γ₁), γ₁=1, 2, . . . ,K_(α1,β1)), β₁=1, 2, . . . , J_(α1)) and to refresh the web-page area 36with W(α₁,β₁,γ₁).

[0109] If the user sequentially selects N unique navigational states ina sequence of (α₁,β₁,γ₁), (α₂,β₂,γ₂), . . . , (α_(N),β_(N),γ_(N)) suchthat N≧2, then the algorithm 23 is adapted to refresh the web-page area36 with W(α_(n),β_(n),γ_(n)) following selection of the navigationalstate (α_(n),β_(n),γ_(n)) for n=1, 2, . . . , N. The algorithm 23 isfurther adapted to record (i.e., store) said sequence of navigationalstates and have access to said recorded sequence following the recordingof said sequence. Following the recording of said sequence the algorithm23 is further adapted to execute code selected from a plurality ofalternative code in dependence on said recorded sequence.

[0110] If the user sequentially selects N unique navigational states ina sequence of (α₁,β₁,γ₁), (α₂,β₂,γ₂), . . . , (α_(N),β_(N),γ_(N)) suchthat N≧2, then the algorithm 23 is adapted to record said sequence ofnavigational states and have access to said recorded sequence followingthe recording of said sequence. Following the recording of said sequencethe algorithm 23 is further adapted to execute code selected from aplurality of alternative code in dependence on said recorded sequence.

[0111] If the user selects a next top-level category α₁ such that α₁differs from a but does not select a next menu item, then the algorithm23 is adapted to: select a web page W(α₁,__,__) in accordance withnavigational persistence; and refresh the web-page area 36 with the webpage W(α₁,__,__). The algorithm 23 is also adapted to refresh theweb-page area 36 with the web page W(α₁,__, __) in accordance withcontent page persistence. The underscore string “__,__” appearing inW(α₁,__,__) denotes that the sub-level category and menu item have notyet been selected following selection of the next top-level category α₁.If the user selects a navigational state (α,β₁,γ₁) to replace thenavigational state (α,β,γ) such that γ₁ differs from γ then thealgorithm is adapted to refresh the web-page area 36 with W(α,β₁,γ₁) inaccordance with page content persistence if W(α,β₁,γ₁) is a dynamic webpage.

[0112] In accordance with the preceding discussion, FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting navigating through navigational states of thehierarchical menu structure, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. Step 61 selects a navigational state (α,β,γ). Step 62records the navigational state (α,β,γ). Step 63 displays thenavigational state (α,β,γ). Step 64 selects a next navigational state(α₁,β₁,γ₁). Step 65 records the next navigational state (α₁,β₁,γ₁). Step66 displays the next navigational state (α₁,β₁,γ₁): with navigationalpersistence if applicable (as discussed supra); and with page contentpersistence if applicable (as discussed supra). Step 67 executesalternative code depending on the navigational state sequence (α,β,γ),(α₁,β₁,γ₁) as discussed supra.

[0113] In FIG. 1 the web site 20 may control access from the computer14. FIG. 15 is a flow chart depicting a first method for controllingaccess to the web site 20 from the computer 14, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The first method of access controlthe web site 20 is based on the address of the computer 14. In step 71of FIG. 15, the computer 14 links to the web site 20 and the user 12then requests access to the web site 20 from the computer 14. In step72, a web server at the web site 20 (or a computer code linked the webserver such as the computer code 22 in FIG. 1) determines the address ofthe computer 14 by any method known to a person of ordinary skill in theart, such as by communication of the address of the computer 14 by thesoftware (e.g., a browser) that has linked the computer 14 to the website 20. In step 73, the web server 20 determines if the computeraddress so determined is acceptable to the web site 20, such as by,inter alia, querying a list of computer addresses having authorizationfor their associated computer to have access to the web site 20. If thecomputer address is not acceptable (i.e., NO) then access of thecomputer 14 to the web site 20 is denied as shown in step 74. If thecomputer address is acceptable (i.e., YES), then access of the computer14 to the web site 20 is allowed as shown in step 75.

[0114]FIG. 16 is a flow chart depicting a second method for controllingaccess to the web site 20 from the computer 14, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The second method of accesscontrol the web site 20 is based on the address of the computer 14, theuser identification (ID) of the user 12, and the password provided bythe user 12. Steps 81-84 in FIG. 16 are analogous to steps 71-74 in FIG.15. In step 81 of FIG. 16, the computer 14 links to the web site 20 andthe user 12 then requests access to the web site 20 from the computer14. In step 82, a web server at the web site 20 (or a computer codelinked the web server such as the computer code 22 in FIG. 1) determinesthe address of the computer 14 by any method known to a person ofordinary skill in the art, such as by communication of the address ofthe computer 14 by the software (e.g., a browser) that has linked thecomputer 14 to the web site 20. In step 83, the web server 20 determinesif the computer address so determined is acceptable to the web site 20,such as by, inter alia, querying a list of computer addresses havingauthorization for their associated computer to have access to the website 20. If the computer address is not acceptable (i.e., NO) thenaccess of the computer 14 to the web site 20 is denied as shown in step84. If the computer address is acceptable (i.e., YES), then step 85 isexecuted. In step 85, the web server determines the user ID andassociated password after having requested the user 12 to supply theuser ID and password. In step 86, the web server 20 determines if userID and password are acceptable to the web site 20, such as by, interalia, querying a list of user ID and password having authorization tohave access to the web site 20. If the user ID and password are notacceptable (i.e., NO) then access of the computer 14 to the web site 20is denied as shown in step 87. If the user ID and password areacceptable (i.e., YES), then access of the computer 14 to the web site20 is allowed as shown in step 88.

[0115] The identity of the computer 14 (e.g., computer address of thecomputer 14) has been used in conjunction with the methods depicted inFIGS. 15 and 16 to control access to the web site 20. However, theidentity of the computer 14 may be used for other purposes. For example,an attribute of the hierarchical menu structure, described supra, may bea function of the identity of the computer 14. Said attribute may be atleast one of: the uppermost top-level, a top-level category of thetop-level categories, a sub-level category of the sub-level categories,a menu item of the menu items, and the web page to which the menu itemis linked. Thus, different computers linked to the same web site via thesame URL may be linked to different hierarchical menu structures. Asanother example, a navigational link selected by the user 12 may resultin the computer 14 linking to a web page that a function of the identityof the computer 14. Thus, the same navigational link selected by usersof different computers may result in the different computers linking todifferent web pages.

[0116]FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary computer system 90 that maycomprise the web site 20, any of the other web sites 24, or the computer14, etc. (see FIG. 1), in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. The computer system 90 comprises a processor 91, an inputdevice 92 coupled to the processor 91, an output device 93 coupled tothe processor 91, and memory devices 94 and 95 each coupled to theprocessor 91. The input device 92 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, amouse, etc. The output device 93 may be, inter alia, a printer, aplotter, a computer display device (e.g, the computer display device 15of FIG. 1 if the computer system 90 comprises the computer 14), amagnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memorydevices 94 and 95 may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device95 includes a computer code 97 (e.g., the computer code 22 of FIG. 1).The computer code 97 includes an algorithm (e.g., the algorithm 23 ofthe computer code 22 of FIG. 1). The processor 91 executes the computercode 97. The memory device 94 includes input data 96. The input data 96includes input required by the computer code 97. The output device 93displays output from the computer code 97. Either or both memory devices94 and 95 (or one or more additional memory devices not shown in FIG.17) may be used as a computer usable medium (or a computer-readablemedium or a program storage device) having a computer readable programcode embodied therein and/or having other data stored therein, whereinthe computer readable program code may comprise the computer code 97.Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an article ofmanufacture) of the computer system 90 may comprise said computer usablemedium (or said program storage device).

[0117] While FIG. 17 shows the computer system 90 as a particularconfiguration of hardware and software, any configuration of hardwareand software, as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in theart, may be utilized for the purposes stated supra in conjunction withthe particular computer system 90 of FIG. 17. For example, the memorydevices 94 and 95 may be portions of a single memory device rather thanseparate memory devices.

[0118] FIGS. 1-17 and accompanying description have illustrated thehierarchical menu structure of the present invention. A feature of thepresent invention is that a web page may be linked to from the uppermosttop-level, a top-level category, or a menu item. It should be noted,however, that such a linking to a web page may trigger a navigationthrough a second hierarchical menu structure whose uppermost top-levelis the web page so linked to. This process may continue iteratively, sothat the user 12 (see FIG. 1) may iteratively link through a sequence ofhierarchical menu structures H₁, H₂, . . . , H_(N) (N≧2) such that theuser sequentially links from menu structure H_(n) to H_(n+1) for n=1, 2,. . . , N−1. Said sequential linking through said sequence ofhierarchical menu structures H₁, H₂, . . . , H_(N) may be accomplishedin accordance with navigational persistence and page content persistenceacross hierarchical menu structure boundaries. For example, if the user12 links from hierarchical menu structure H_(n1) to hierarchical menustructure H_(n2) (wherein H_(n2)≠H_(n1)) and subsequently returns tohierarchical menu structure H_(n1), then the scope of the presentinvention includes navigational persistence and page content persistencewith respect to web pages linked to within the return to hierarchicalmenu structure H_(n1). For the latter example, both navigationalpersistence and page content persistence are said to be operative acrossa boundary between H_(n1) and H_(n2).

[0119] While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications andchanges will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications andchanges as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer display device, comprising a displayscreen, said display screen displaying a menu presentation interface forenabling a user of a linked web-page system to navigate through thelinked web-page system, said menu presentation interface comprising adisplay of: a list of top-level categories such that the top-levelcategories are categories of an uppermost top-level of the web-pagenavigation system; a list of sub-level categories linked to a selectedtop-level category of the top-level categories; a list of menu itemsheld by each sub-level category; and a web page linked from a selectedmenu item of the menu items held by a first sub-level category of thesub-level categories.
 2. The computer display device of claim 1, whereinan Internet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-page system. 3.The computer display device of claim 2, wherein the uppermost top-levelencompasses all web sites coupled to the Internet.
 4. The computerdisplay device of claim 2, wherein the uppermost top-level encompassesfewer than all web sites coupled to the Internet.
 5. The computerdisplay device of claim 2, wherein the uppermost top-level encompasses aplurality of web sites coupled to the Internet.
 6. The computer displaydevice of claim 2, wherein the uppermost top-level encompasses a singleweb site coupled to the Internet.
 7. The computer display device ofclaim 1, wherein an Intranet is coupled to the linked web-page system.8. The computer display device of claim 1, wherein the display screenfurther displays an identification of the uppermost top level.
 9. Thecomputer display device of claim 1, wherein the display screen furtherdisplays an identification of a top level category selected by the user.10. The computer display device of claim 1, wherein the display screenfurther displays an identification of a menu item selected by the user.11. The computer display device of claim 1, wherein the selected menuitem is linked to the web page by a Universal Resource Locator (URL).12. A computer display device, comprising a display screen, said displayscreen displaying a hierarchical menu structure for enabling a user of alinked web-page system to navigate through the linked web-page system,said hierarchical menu structure comprising: an uppermost top-level; Itop-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . T(I), wherein I≧2, andwherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the I top-levelcategories; J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-levelcategory T(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, andwherein the J_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), .. . , S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and K_(ij) menu items held bysub-level category S(i,j), wherein K_(ij) is a finction of i and j,wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij) menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1),M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), and wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) islinked to a web page W(i,j,k), for i=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . ,J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij).
 13. The computer display device ofclaim 12, wherein an Internet is coupled to web sites of the linkedweb-page system.
 14. The computer display device of claim 13, whereinthe uppermost top-level encompasses all web sites coupled to theInternet.
 15. The computer display device of claim 13, wherein theuppermost top-level encompasses fewer than all web sites coupled to theInternet.
 16. The computer display device of claim 13, wherein theuppermost top-level encompasses a plurality of web sites coupled to theInternet.
 17. The computer display device of claim 13, wherein theuppermost top-level encompasses a single web site coupled to theInternet.
 18. The computer display device of claim 12, wherein anIntranet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-page system.
 19. Thecomputer display device of claim 12, wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) islinked to the web page W(i,j,k) by a Universal Resource Locator denotedas URL(i,j,k).
 20. The computer display device of claim 12, wherein anattribute of the hierarchical menu structure is a function of anidentity of a computer that the user is coupled to for navigatingthrough the linked web-page system, and wherein the attribute is atleast one of: the uppermost top-level, a top-level category of thetop-level categories, a sub-level category of the sub-level categories,a menu item of the menu items, and the web page to which the menu itemis linked.
 21. A computer display device, comprising a display screen,said display screen displaying a hierarchical menu structure forenabling a user of a linked web-page system to navigate through thelinked web-page system, said hierarchical menu structure having anavigational state (α,β,γ), said hierarchical menu structure comprising:an uppermost top-level; I top-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), .. . , T(I), wherein I>2, and wherein the uppermost top-level is dividedinto the I top level categories; J_(i) sub-level categories associatedwith top-level category T(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, whereinJ_(i)≧1, and wherein the J_(i) sub-level categories are denoted asS(i,1), S(i,2), . . . , S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and K_(ij)menu items held by sub-level category S(i,j), wherein K_(ij) is afunction of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij) menu items aredenoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), and wherein themenu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), for i=1, 2, . . . ,I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij), said displayscreen comprising a display of: (T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)), (S(α,β),(M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K _(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . , J _(α)), andW(α,β,γ), wherein α is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . ., and I, wherein β is selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, . . ., and J_(α), and wherein γ selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, .. . , and K_(αβ).
 22. The computer display device of claim 21, whereinthe display screen comprises a top-level area, a sub-level area, and aweb-page area, wherein the top-level area comprises the display of(T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)), wherein the sub-level area comprises thedisplay of (S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K_(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . ,J_(α)), and wherein the web-page area comprises the display of W(α,β,γ).23. The computer display device of claim 22, wherein the top-level area,the sub-level area, and the web-page area are predetermined areas of thedisplay screen.
 24. The computer display device of claim 21, wherein anInternet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-page system.
 25. Thecomputer display device of claim 24, wherein the uppermost top-levelencompasses all web sites coupled to the Internet.
 26. The computerdisplay device of claim 24, wherein the uppermost top-level encompassesfewer than all web sites coupled to the Internet.
 27. The computerdisplay device of claim 24, wherein the uppermost top-level encompassesa plurality of web sites coupled to the Internet.
 28. The computerdisplay device of claim 24, wherein the uppermost top-level encompassesa single web site coupled to the Internet.
 29. The computer displaydevice of claim 21, wherein an Intranet is coupled to web sites of thelinked web-page system.
 30. The computer display device of claim 21,wherein the display screen further displays an identification of theuppermost top level of the web-page navigation system.
 31. The computerdisplay device of claim 21, wherein the display screen further displaysan identification of a top level category selected by the user.
 32. Thecomputer display device of claim 21, wherein the display screen furtherdisplays an identification of menu item selected by the user.
 33. Thecomputer display device of claim 21, wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) islinked to the web page W(i,j,k) by a Universal Resource Locator denotedas URL(i,j,k).
 34. The computer display device of claim 21, wherein anattribute of the hierarchical menu structure is a function of anidentity of a computer that that the user is coupled to for navigatingthrough the linked web-page system, and wherein the attribute is atleast one of: the uppermost top-level, a top-level category of thetop-level categories, a sub-level category of the sub-level categories,a menu item of the menu items, and the web page to which the menu itemis linked.
 35. A computer program product, comprising a computer usablemedium having a computer readable program code embodied therein forenabling a user of a linked web-page system to navigate through thelinked web-page system in accordance with a hierarchical menu structure,said hierarchical menu structure comprising: an uppermost top-level; Itop-level categories denoted as T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I), wherein I≧2,and wherein the uppermost top-level is divided into the I top levelcategories; J_(i) sub-level categories associated with top-levelcategory T(i), wherein J_(i) is a function of i, wherein J_(i)≧1, andwherein the J_(i) sub-level categories are denoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), .. . , S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I; and K_(ij) menu items held bysub-level category S(i,j), wherein K_(ij) is a function of i and j,wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij) menu items are denoted as M(i,j,1),M(i,j,2), . . . , M(ij,K_(ij)), and wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) islinked to a web page W(i,j,k), for i=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . ,J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij), said computer code comprising analgorithm adapted to generate, on a display screen of a computer displaydevice, a display of a navigational state (α,β,γ) of the hierarchicalmenu structure, said display comprising a depiction of: (T(1), T(2), . .. , T(I)), (S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K_(αβ)), β=1, 2, . . . ,J_(α)), and W(α,β,γ), wherein α is selected from the group consisting of1, 2, . . . , and I, wherein β is selected from the group consisting of1, 2, . . . , and J_(α), and wherein γ selected from the groupconsisting of 1, 2, . . . , and K_(αβ).
 36. The computer program productof claim 35, wherein the display comprises a top-level area, a sub-levelarea, and a web-page area, wherein the top-level area comprises thedepiction of (T(1), T(2), . . . , T(I)), wherein the sub-level areacomprises the depiction of (S(α,β), (M(α,β,γ), γ=1, 2, . . . , K_(αβ)),β=1, 2, . . . , J_(α)), and wherein the web-page area comprises thedepiction of W(α,β,γ).
 37. The computer program product of claim 36,wherein if the user selects a navigational state (α₁,β₁,γ₁) to replacethe navigational state (α,β,γ) such that W(α₁,β₁,γ₁) differs fromW(α,β,γ), then the algorithm is adapted to refresh the sub-level areawith a depiction of (S(α₁,β₁), (M(α₁,β₁,γ₁), γ₁=1, 2, . . . ,K_(α1,β1)), β₁=1, 2, . . . , J_(α1)) and to refresh the web-page areawith W(α₁,β₁,γ₁).
 38. The computer program product of claim 36, whereinif the user sequentially selects N unique navigational states in asequence of (α₁,β₁,γ₁), (α₂,β₂,γ₂), . . . , (α_(N),β_(N),γ_(N)) suchthat N≧2, then the algorithm is adapted to refresh the web-page areawith W(α_(n),β_(n),γ_(n)) following selection of each navigational state(α_(n),β_(n),γ_(n)) for n=1, 2, . . . , N.
 39. The computer programproduct of claim 38, wherein the algorithm is further adapted to recordsaid sequence of navigational states in a computer-readable medium andhave access to said recorded sequence following the recording of saidsequence.
 40. The computer program product of claim 39, whereinfollowing the recording of said sequence the algorithm is furtheradapted to execute code selected from a plurality of alternative code independence on said recorded sequence.
 41. The computer program productof claim 36, wherein if the user sequentially selects N uniquenavigational states in a sequence of (α₁,β₁,γ₁), (α₂,β₂,γ₂), . . . ,(α_(N),β_(N),γ_(N)) such that N≧2, then the algorithm is further adaptedto record said sequence of navigational states in a computer-readablemedium and have access to said recorded sequence following the recordingof said sequence.
 42. The computer program product of claim 41, whereinfollowing the recording of said sequence the algorithm is furtheradapted to execute code selected from a plurality of alternative code independence on said recorded sequence.
 43. The computer program productof claim 36, wherein if the user selects a next top-level category α₁such that α₁ differs from a but does not select a next menu item, thenthe algorithm is adapted to: select a web page W(α₁,__,__) in accordancewith navigational persistence, wherein the underscore string __,__appearing in W(α₁,__,__) denotes that a sub-level category and menu itemhave not yet been selected following selection of the next top-levelcategory α₁; and refresh the web-page area with the web pageW(α₁,__,__).
 44. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein thealgorithm is adapted to refresh the web-page area with the web pageW(α₁,__,__) in accordance with content page persistence.
 45. Thecomputer program product of claim 36, wherein if the user selects anavigational state (α,β₁,γ₁) to replace the navigational state (α,β,γ)such that γ₁ differs from γ then the algorithm is adapted to refresh theweb-page area with W(α,β₁,γ₁) in accordance with page contentpersistence if W(α,β₁,γ₁) is a dynamic web page.
 46. The computerprogram product of claim 36, wherein the top-level area, the sub-levelarea, and the web-page area are predetermined areas of the displayscreen.
 47. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein thealgorithm is further adapted to change color in an area of the displayscreen to a new color in response to selection by the user of the newcolor, and wherein the area is selected from the group consisting of thetop-level area, the sub-level area, the web-page area, and combinationsthereof.
 48. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein thealgorithm is further adapted to change font style of text in an area ofthe display screen to a new font style in response to selection by theuser of the new font style, and wherein the area is selected from thegroup consisting of the top-level area, the sub-level area, the web-pagearea, and combinations thereof.
 49. The computer program product ofclaim 36, wherein the algorithm is further adapted to change font sizeof text in an area of the display screen to a new font size in responseto selection by the user of the new font style, and wherein the area isselected from the group consisting of the top-level area, the sub-levelarea, the web-page area, and combinations thereof.
 50. The computerprogram product of claim 35, wherein an attribute of the hierarchicalmenu structure is a function of an identity of the user, and wherein theattribute is at least one of: the uppermost top-level, a top-levelcategory of the top-level categories, a sub-level category of thesub-level categories, a menu item of the menu items, and the web page towhich the menu item is linked.
 51. The computer program product of claim35, wherein an Internet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-pagesystem.
 52. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein theuppermost top-level encompasses all web sites coupled to the Internet.53. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the uppermosttop-level encompasses fewer than all web sites coupled to the Internet.54. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the uppermosttop-level encompasses a plurality of web sites coupled to the Internet.55. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the uppermosttop-level encompasses a single web site coupled to the Internet.
 56. Thecomputer program product of claim 35, wherein an Intranet is coupled toweb sites of the linked web-page system.
 57. The computer programproduct of claim 35, wherein the display screen further displays anidentification of the uppermost top level of the web-page navigationsystem.
 58. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein thedisplay screen further displays an identification of a top levelcategory selected by the user.
 59. The computer program product of claim35, wherein the display further displays an identification of a menuitem selected by the user.
 60. The computer program product of claim 35,wherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to the web page W(i,j,k) by aUniversal Resource Locator denoted as URL(i,j,k).
 61. A computer programproduct, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readableprogram code embodied therein for enabling a user of a linked web-pagesystem to navigate through the linked web-page system, said computercode comprising an algorithm adapted to: record, in a computer-readablemedium, a sequence of navigational links selected by the user, whereineach navigational link is a link to a web page of the linked web-pagesystem; record, in the computer-readable medium, the web pages to whichthe navigational links are linked; and in response to a subsequentselection of a first navigational link to a dynamic web page such thatthe first navigational link is one of the previously selectednavigational links, display the dynamic web page on a display screen ofa computer display device and in accordance with page contentpersistence.
 62. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein anInternet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-page system.
 63. Thecomputer program product of claim 61, wherein an Intranet is coupled toweb sites of the linked web-page system.
 64. The computer programproduct of claim 61, wherein the link to the web page is effectuated bya Universal Resource Locator (URL).
 65. A computer program product,comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein for enabling a user of a linked web-page system tonavigate through the linked web-page system, said computer codecomprising an algorithm adapted to: record, in a computer-readablemedium, a sequence of navigational links selected by the user, whereineach navigational link is a link to a web page of the linked web-pagesystem; and execute code selected from a plurality of alternative codein dependence on said recorded sequence.
 66. The computer programproduct of claim 65, wherein an Internet is coupled to web sites of thelinked web-page system.
 67. The computer program product of claim 65,wherein an Intranet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-pagesystem.
 68. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the linkto the web page is effectuated by a Universal Resource Locator (URL).69. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable mediumhaving a computer readable program code embodied therein for enabling auser of a linked web-page system to navigate through the linked web-pagesystem, said computer code comprising an algorithm adapted to enable theuser to select a sequence of navigational links, wherein eachnavigational link is a link to a web page of the linked web-page system,and wherein at least one of the navigational links available forselection by the user and the web pages to which the availablenavigational links are linked is a function of an identity of a computerthat the user is coupled to for navigating through the linked web-pagesystem.
 70. The computer program product of claim 69, wherein anInternet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-page system.
 71. Thecomputer program product of claim 69, wherein an Intranet is coupled toweb sites of the linked web-page system.
 72. The computer programproduct of claim 69, wherein the link to the web page is effectuated bya Universal Resource Locator (URL).
 73. An access control method,comprising: receiving, by a web site, a request for access to the website by a computer that is separated from the web site by acommunication link; determining, by the web site, an address of thecomputer; and refusing the user access to the web site if thedetermining determines that the address of the computer is notacceptable for access to the web site.
 74. The access control method ofclaim 73, further comprising allowing the user access to the web site ifthe determining determines that the address of the computer isacceptable for access to the web site.
 75. The access control method ofclaim 73, further comprising if the determining does not determine thatthe address of the computer is not acceptable for access to the website: ascertaining, by the web site, an identification (ID) andassociated password of a user coupled to the computer; allowing thecomputer access to the web site if the determining determines that theaddress of the computer is acceptable for access to the web site and ifthe ascertaining ascertains that the ID and associated password areacceptable for access to the web site.
 76. The access control method ofclaim 73, wherein the communication link comprises the Internet.
 77. Acomputer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having acomputer readable program code embodied therein for controlling accessto a web site, said computer code being coupled to the web site, saidcomputer code comprising an algorithm adapted to: receive a request foraccess to the web site by a user from a computer that is separated fromthe web site by a communication link; determine an address of thecomputer; and refuse the user access to the web site if the algorithmdetermines that the address of the computer is not acceptable for accessto the web site.
 78. The computer program product of claim 77, whereinthe algorithm is further adapted to allow the user access to the website if the algorithm determines that the address of the computer isacceptable for access to the web site.
 79. The computer program productof claim 77, wherein the algorithm is further adapted to: ascertain anidentification (ID) and associated password of the user; allow the useraccess to the web site if the algorithm determines that the address ofthe computer is acceptable for access to the web site and if thealgorithm ascertains that the ID and associated password are acceptablefor access to the web site.
 80. The computer program product of claim77, wherein the communication link comprises the Internet.
 81. Acomputer display device comprising a display screen, said display screenadapted to display each of a first hierarchical menu structure H₁ and asecond hierarchical menu structure H₂, wherein a chained hierarchicalmenu system comprises H₁ and H₂, wherein the chained hierarchical menusystem enables a user of a linked web-page system to navigate throughthe linked web-page system, and wherein H₁ and H₂ independentlycomprise: an uppermost top-level; I top-level categories denoted asT(1), T(2), . . . T(I), wherein I≧2, and wherein the uppermost top-levelis divided into the I top-level categories; J_(i) sub-level categoriesassociated with top-level category T(i), wherein J_(i) is a function ofi, wherein J_(i)≧1, and wherein the J_(i) sub-level categories aredenoted as S(i,1), S(i,2), . . . , S(i,J_(i)), for i=1, 2, . . . , I;and K_(ij) menu items held by sub-level category S(i,j), wherein K_(ij)is a function of i and j, wherein K_(ij)≧1, wherein the K_(ij) menuitems are denoted as M(i,j,1), M(i,j,2), . . . , M(i,j,K_(ij)), andwherein the menu item M(i,j,k) is linked to a web page W(i,j,k), fori=1, 2, . . . , I and j=1, 2, . . . , J_(i) and k=1, 2, . . . , K_(ij),wherein H₁ is linked to H₂ from the uppermost top-level of H₁, atop-level category of H₁, or a menu item of H₁.
 82. The computer displaydevice of claim 81, wherein an Internet is coupled to web sites of thelinked web-page system.
 83. The computer display device of claim 81,wherein an Intranet is coupled to web sites of the linked web-pagesystem.
 84. The computer display device of claim 81, whereinnavigational persistence is operative across a boundary between H₁ andH₂.
 85. The computer display device of claim 81, wherein page contentpersistence is operative across a boundary between H₁ and H₂.